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Cute attack: 1,600 papier mache pandas invade Hong Kong

An army of papier mache pandas swarmed the arrivals hall at Hong Kong airport on June 9 as part of a global campaign to promote conservation of the endangered bears.

The display of 1,600 papier mache pandas at the airport was the first of a series of events planned across the city, as part of a month-long 1,600 Pandas World Tour campaign.

Designed by French sculptor Paulo Grangeon, the panda installation has already been displayed in other cities including Berlin, Paris and Taipei, before reaching Hong Kong, home to several of the bears.

”Themed around pandas’ state of endangerment, the army of 1,600 paper mache pandas shines a spotlight on conservation and sustainable development,” a press statement issued by PMQ, one of the organisers, said.

Panda flash mob! The 1,600 papier mache pandas, seen here 'arriving' at Hong Kong airport, are spending a month in the city as part of their world tour to promote wildlife conservation. The number '1,600' is significant as it stands for the estimated number of pandas left in the world. — AFP

Organisers say the city will see “flash mobs of pandas” descend on various Hong Kong landmarks including Victoria Harbour, the Shatin racecourse and the city’s trams during the campaign.

Videos and pictures of the artwork flooded social networking sites in Hong Kong following the start of the exhibition, including a clip created by a local airline showing paper pandas sitting on board a flight to symbolise their “arrival”.

According to environmentalist group WWF, which uses the bear as its logo, there are only about 1,600 giant pandas left in the wild, making it an endangered species. — AFP/RelaxNews